Babbler

Babblers although larger than noisy-miners are still small, gentle birds that can be easily preyed upon by hawks and other predators.  They stay in their family groups, constantly moving and flitting about so as to confuse any hungry eyes watching them with  the wrong intentions. They are generally very shy and quite nervous birds and don't project the immense self-confidence that we've seen in quails for instance.

They like hovering in muddy patches, or near gravel, stone, logs and barks looking for insects.

We noticed their friendship with the magpies soon after we became friends with Maggie and his sisters Cindy and Tammie. 

The birds and wildlife have had a wonderful summer this year, inf act the best in over a decade.  New wildgrasses have sprung up covering the hillsides due to the extended rains and are providing plenty of food and shelter this season in contrast to years of dry, burnt summers.   Check out the pics below to see what they have been doing.

(click on the 'next' button to forward through the slides).

Previous Slide 1/36 NextWillie and Nellie learning to sing against the cloudy skiesLush green grasses fill the paddocksThe eagles are a hunting up abovewhile Rainbow lorikeets are sortingout territorial boundaries belowThe babblers have moved inhaving negotiated their rightsThe wallabies are enjoying the rich pickingsalong with Bertie Vicky Mindy and KennyBilly's family is happy tooLarry and Harrie are singing to gloryThe Crested pigeons are thrilled to bootsMaggie's son Monty has found new friendsKenny wants to get up close and personalGabriel Tuks joined the bat creche and returned to the colonyCharlie Girl is fully recovered and adores PeteJack is much happier now he can fly furtherWallabies relax in the shade at the Long Grass Wildlife RefugeJack adores GabiWild grasses spring up along the roadsidethe whole valley is green - for a few weeks at leastOne eyed Curly the currawongis looking healthy and wellGumnuts are a plentifulButterflies delightBilly's brood is growing upFrieda is all black and white but still as friendly as everNoisy miner is planning another clutch2 eggs in herewhile the nest is being fortifiedwild grasses aboundfilling the bushy landscapeto the joy of the birds and animalsThe galahs are keen to show their nestand pose for the cameraThe peewee too wants to be seen